IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
INRE: COURT OPERATIONS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 2020-5
This Administrative Order is being issued in response to the continued outbreak of the
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the Western District of Arkansas. Considering the
severity of risk posed to the public, court staff, and other court agencies, this Order extends the
moratorium on in court proceedings previously entered in Administrative Order No. 2020-1 and
Administrative Order No. 2020-4. Accordingly, the following order will be implemented within
all divisions in the Western District of Arkansas:
1) All civil and criminal trials (bench and jury) currently scheduled to begin before July 6,
2020 are continued pending further order of the Court. The postponement of these cases will be
assessed by the Court in mid to late June to determine whether further postponement is appropriate.
2) As to criminal trials, the time between the date of this administrative order and the new
trial date shall be excluded from consideration of the Speedy Trial Act pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §
3161(h)(7)(A), as the Court specifically finds that the ends of justice served by ordering these
continuances outweigh the best interests of the public and any defendant's right to a speedy trial.
3) All grand jury proceedings are continued until June 30, 2020. Due to the unavailability
of the grand jury, the 30-day time period for filing an indictment or an information is tolled as to any
defendant during the time period ofthe continuances occasioned by Administrative Order No. 2020-
1, Administrative Order 2020-4 and this Administrative Order, pursuant to 18 U.S,C, § 316l(b).
4) As to the grand jury, the Court also finds that the ends ofjustice served by ordering this
continuance outweigh the best interest of the public and any defendant's right to a speedy trial.
Therefore, the time period of the continuance occasioned by Administrative Order No. 2020-1,
Administrative Order No. 2020-4 and this Administrative Order is excluded from consideration of
the Speedy Trial Act pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3161(h)(7)(A), and will not be considered in
determining if an Indictment or Information is filed within the time limits set forth in 18 U.S.C. §
316l(b).
5) All petty offense (CYB) proceedings are continued until July 6, 2020.
6) The naturalization ceremony scheduled for June 26, 2020, in Ft. Smith, Arkansas is
cancelled and will be rescheduled at a later date.
7) Unless amended by this Order, all other provisions of Administrative Order No. 2020-1,
Administrative Order No. 2020-3 and Administrative Order No. 2020-4 remain in effect.
This Order will remain in effect until further order of the Court.
IT IS SO ORDERED, this =2ff¾ay of May, 2020.
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SUSAN 0. HICKEY
CHIEF UNITED ST ATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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